Gasping

This week has been difficult. The ragged hole left by the unexpected departure of a child that we love from our home without even so much as a good-bye is crushingly painful. The Boss kept saying, "Can you please not cry anymore?" but I can't help it, overwhelmed by the grief of loss and the cruel circumstances under which it occured. Yet another reminder that we have given years of our lives to love and care for other people's children without any rights or regard given to preserving the relationship and bonds we have created minute by minute, day after day as we nurtured, hugged, played, comforted, disciplined, taught, and loved. We're left holding the short end of the stick again after being smacked in the face with cold indifference and staggering ingratitude.